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Langtraveler Posted 11 years ago
Grammar
Why "time" does not need a preposition?
I know it's a very fool question, but suddenly I'm curious why the noun "time" does not need preposition in some cases.
For example, one says "I think you cry every time you meet your son," not "in every time you meet your son,"(I think it can be grammatically correct, but I don't deem it natural. Am I right?)
although we can replace the noun "every time" with a relative adverb, "whenever."
Is there any gramatical explanation or is it just customary?
For example, one says "I think you cry every time you meet your son," not "in every time you meet your son,"(I think it can be grammatically correct, but I don't deem it natural. Am I right?)
although we can replace the noun "every time" with a relative adverb, "whenever."
Is there any gramatical explanation or is it just customary?
Top answer
langtraveler For example, one says "I think you cry every time you meet your son," not "in every time you meet your son,"(I think it can be grammatically correct, but I don't deem it natural. ) It is completely natural.
- langtraveler For example, one says "I think you cry every time you meet your son," not "in every time you meet your son,"(I think it can be grammatically correct, but I don't deem it natural.
- ) It is completely natural.
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10 Answers
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langtravelerFor example, one says "I think you cry every time you meet your son," not "in every time you meet your son,"(I think it can be grammatically correct, but I don't deem it natural. Am I right?)It is completely natural.
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Thank you for your reply!
Then people just omit the preposition habitually?
Then people just omit the preposition habitually?
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I wouldn't say the preposition is omitted -- there's no reason for it to be there at all!
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langtravelerI'm curious why the noun "time" does not need preposition in some cases.Are you equally curious about the days of the week or the months of the year?
We shop for groceries every Monday.
We celebrate Founders Day every October 5.
They change the schedule every month.
I see, though, that it's inconsiste
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khoff there's no reason for it to be there at all!But see my examples above with "occasion" and "instance".
CJ
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you don´t use a preposition when you have "every + time word"
I play tennis on Mondays. but I play tennis every Monday.
She visited her grandmother in summer. but She visited her grandmother every summer.
My aunt came to see us in July. but My aunt comes to see us every July.
I play tennis on Mondays. but I play tennis every Monday.
She visited her grandmother in summer. but She visited her grandmother every summer.
My aunt came to see us in July. but My aunt comes to see us every July.
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CalifJimkhoff there's no reason for it to be there at all!But see my examples above with "occasion" and "instance".I think khoff was talking about 'time', the word asked about in the original question.
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fivejedjonI think khoff was talking about 'time', the word asked about in the original question.Indeed she was. However, I believe the underlying puzzlement experienced by the OP goes like this:
If other words, like occasion and instance, require a preposition in the given context, why not the synonym time?
No one can r
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Thank everybody very much for kind replies!
And to my surprise, CJ did read my mind.
Could I ask one more question?
Why AS said "it is completely natural" for "in everytime she meets her son?"
According to the replies, it is not allowed to put preposition in front of 'every time.'
I guess it's because of my poor writing and she said "everyttime she meets her son" is comple
And to my surprise, CJ did read my mind.
Could I ask one more question?
Why AS said "it is completely natural" for "in everytime she meets her son?"
According to the replies, it is not allowed to put preposition in front of 'every time.'
I guess it's because of my poor writing and she said "everyttime she meets her son" is comple
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I think you cry every time you meet your son.
I think you cry every time she meets your son.
The sentences above are completely natural.
The first sentence is your original post. I agreed with you. That you were right, and it is correct.
I think you cry every time she meets your son.
The sentences above are completely natural.
The first sentence is your original post. I agreed with you. That you were right, and it is correct.
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